Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House today to congratulate Mothers Against Drunk Driving on the 30th anniversary of their Project Red Ribbon Campaign.

Throughout November and December, MADD will distribute millions of red ribbons across the country. These ribbons serve to raise awareness of the terrible cost of impaired driving, and honour the memory of those who have been killed or injured in impaired driving crashes.

It is important to remember that Illegal and prescription drugs, as well as alcohol, can impair a driver’s ability to safely operate a motorized vehicle.

Mr. Speaker, these deaths and injuries are entirely preventable, and we all have a role to play in reducing these statistics.

This morning the Minister of Justice and Public Safety and I attended the provincial launch of this year’s campaign at Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Headquarters.

This year, RNC officers will show their support for Project Red Ribbon by lacing up their boots with red MADD Canada laces.

I commend MADD for their dedication to Project Red Ribbon over the past 30 years and for their valuable contribution to this most important cause.

I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and my colleagues in this Honourable House to participate in the 2017 campaign.